Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, and Acoustical Engineer will advise on the optimum height for the barrier. A basic rule of thumb for barrier height is: Any noise barrier should be at least as tall as the line-of-sight between the noise source and the receiver, plus 30%.

Link to Shitai

So if the line-of-sight is 10&#; high, then the barrier should be at least 13&#; tall for best performance. SFS will be happy to provide input on such matters, as well as refer you to a local Acoustical Engineer if desired.

Again, such matters are best left to an Acoustical Engineer to determine if possible. Generally speaking, a noise barrier should be as close to the noise source as possible, while allowing for suitable access and air flow for the equipment.

SFS will be happy to provide input on such matters, as well as refer you to a local Acoustical Engineer if desired.

SFS does not currently install our sound abatement products. We do however, provide detailed foundation and installation drawings for our Customers to share with their installer.

Installation of the SFS system involves basic construction techniques, and any competent contractor can easily install it without special training or prior experience with the product.

Our noise barriers are priced on a square-foot basis. Pricing typically includes delivery to the job site in the continental USA (delivery charges apply to destinations outside the continental USA). Pricing is based on final layout design and wind loads.

Our pricing does not include installation. The primary considerations that influence pricing are barrier height, wind load and any options desired. Once we have the pertinent details of any application, we will provide a detailed Quotation for Customer approval.

Our sound attenuation panels are the most common noise frequencies associated with outdoor noise sources. There are a few, very low-frequency noise sources that are difficult for a barrier to mitigate, but these are not common and Sound Fighter® will advise our Customers if this is the case.

There are SFS barriers that have been in the field as long as the company has been in existence &#; 40 years or so &#; that are still performing acoustically, so we really don&#;t know how long they can last.

Given the quality of the UV inhibitors and color stabilizers used by SFS, our products should last decades.

Our barriers are considered to be among the best-performing outdoor sound barriers in the world. Generally speaking, they will provide 15-25 dBA reductions from one side of the barrier to the other in commercial applications.

Since there are many mitigating factors that influence attenuation performance in outdoor soundproofing material, however, exact performance is difficult to predict.

If you need to meet specific dBA levels, we suggest you contact an Acoustical Engineer since they are trained to make such predictions.

SFS will be happy to provide input on such matters, as well as refer you to a local Acoustical Engineer if desired.

Yes.

For more Sound Barrier Priceinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Should any of the barrier panels be damaged by outside sources, they can easily be replaced by removing damaged panels and replacing them with new ones.

Also, the sound barriers can be disassembled and removed should that ever be desired.

As it gets warmer and people emerge from their winter hibernation into the summer sun, noise always becomes an issue. This is especially true when it comes to backyard noise in residential neighborhoods. To solve this problem, you can reduce outdoor noise with a sound blocking fence.

The source of the noise can be cookouts, pool pumps, air conditioning units, young children, or number of other things.

Regardless of whether you&#;re the one making the noise or the one trying to enjoy some quiet time one yard over, we recommend a sound blocking fence. Also referred to as a soundproof fence, these sound barriers absorb noise and can also block it from transferring between properties.

Specifically, our most commonly used acoustical solution, and the most affordable product for residential sound blocking fences is our PrivacyShield® ABBC-13EXT Exterior Barrier Backed Soundproofing Blanket. Sold by the individual blanket or roll in standard sizes, these products make retrofits to existing structures easy and cost-effective.

Please be sure to verify your structure will comply with local building codes, ordinances, or homeowners&#; association.

Case Studies

This particular person lived near Philadelphia and installed central air conditioning. Their neighbors complained to the city about the noise levels (notice how close the houses are). She was told she couldn&#;t use her AC until she got the noise levels below the city ordinance. After discussions she decided to install a stockade fence and line it with AQFA-10 EXT sound absorbing blankets. She expedited the order since it was the week before Memorial Day. After installation of the AQFA-10 EXT material, the AC noise was well under the city ordinance noise limits. She stayed cool and comfortable all summer long!

The next story involves a bank next to a church. The bank installed a new AC system and it was too loud for the church. They weren&#;t required by law to do anything about the noise, but the business wanted to be a good neighbor. They installed PrivacyShield® Outdoor Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets in the 2&#; thick version (this model comes in 1&#; or 2&#; thicknesses, with an option for 2# psf instead of 1# for the 2&#;) on the side of the bank building and reduced the noise level to an acceptable level for the church. Even though these panels aren&#;t supported by a fence, the acoustical treatment is just as effective. During the summer the church was able to open the windows without hearing a constant hum from the bank&#;s AC unit.

Both of these stories happen to be specifically about outdoor HVAC noise blocking, but this solution would work to reduce outdoor noise of any kind. If the barrier will block the line of sight between you and noise source, it will block the sound as well.

Hi Brenda,
I&#;m sorry to hear about all the noise around your home. If the fence you put up blocks your line of site to the noise source (children, skateboard ramp, music speakers) then attaching sound blocking materials like our combination blankets will help cut the amount of sound that is reaching you. Other products to consider are our door seal kits and acoustical window seals. They will soundproof the weak spots in your home that are likely letting a majority of the noise in.

I have linked these products below, but please feel free to give us a call and speak to one of our architectural reps. They would love to talk you through your noise issue and offer any possible solutions: 800.782.

Acoustic Door Seal Kit
PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit
ABBC-13 Exterior Sound Blankets

Hi Matthew, Our sound blocking blankets would help block this noise for you, but the success of your sound fence is all about placement. The barrier you create would have to be directly between the sound source and your location within your home, which is sometimes difficult if you are uphill from the roadway. If you can see the road from where you live, you will hear the road noise. Please feel free to call in and speak with one of our architectural reps anytime. They would be happy to walk you through your options: 800 782

Hi Julien, our combination blankets pictured would help block the noise. We also have a few other wall systems that one of our reps would be happy to discuss with you. The issue you will run into, however, is that your home is 30 feet above road level. If the sound barrier you install is not tall enough to block your view of the road, it will not block the path of the sound, either. Please give us a call to discuss your options: 800 782

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